The Coronado Island Film Festival (CIFF) is kicking off its eighth year with a curated slate of immersive programming including studio and independent films, panels, parties and the premiere gala event: the Leonard Maltin Industry Tribute Awards Gala held at Loews Coronado Bay Resort.
The five-day film festival from Nov. 8-12 will include more than 100 filmmakers, industry executives and entertainment leaders in Coronado.
There will be the Red Carpet Films and San Diego-area premieres including the centerpiece feature: “Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story”.
A nod to his mother’s love, the Amazon Studios and Bekele Films documentary is a tender and intimate portrait of filmmaker Perry, following his harrowing but faithful road to the top of an industry that didn’t always include him.
One of the featured closing night films, “Closing Ground,” narrated by Laura Dern, is a sweeping and uplifting story of the pioneers of the “Regenerative Movement” who are forgoing the toxic seeds and sprays pushed by Big Ag in order to produce tremendous quantities of nutritionally dense food while bringing the ecosystem back to life.
Culinary Cinema series
A Culinary Cinema series will be held on Friday, Nov. 10, featuring the documentary feature “Susan Feniger. Forked,” a verité style documentary by award-winning filmmaker Liz Lachman as she captures the raw, behind-the-scenes moments of Susan Feniger.
Feniger has cooked for everyone from Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton to Oprah and Lady Gaga. The film features chefs Wolfgang Puck and Bobby Flay.
Following the film, there will be a demo and tastings from Feniger and her famed restaurant Border Grill.
A second culinary event focuses on sustainability with a screening of Shannon Morrell’s compelling short “Spear. Spatula. Submarine.”
A Q+A discussion will follow the film with Amy Steward, Founder of Emerald Keepers and Meghan McKee, head chef at the Coronado Yacht Club.
Vans and Wahoo’s pre-party
There also will be a special Vans and Wahoo’s pre-party with the founder of Vans’ son and Vice President of Marketing and Special Events Steven Van Doren, and Wing Lam, co-founder of Wahoo hosted on Nov. 12, before the screening of “Humanity Stoked.”
The documentary features Pro Skateboarders Tony Alva, Lizzie Armanto, and San Diegan Tony Hawk, among others.
The film is about the beauty in overcoming fear and other challenges facing humanity as seen by icons of pro skating, science, art, music, activism and education, all of whom share experiences and perspectives shaped by their love of skateboarding.
A Q&A will follow the film.
Other featured films
Other featured films include:
“Past Lives,” written and directed by Celine Song and starring Greta Lee, Teo Yoo and John Magaro.
“Isle of Hope,” directed by Damián Romay and starring Diane Ladd, Mary Stuart Masterson, Sam Robards and Andrew McCarthy.
“The Nana Project,” directed by Robin Givens and starring Academy Award Winner Mercedes Ruehl.
“Black Barbie,” written and directed by Lagueria Davis and starring Monica L. Bailey, Kitty Black Perkins and Raj Brown.
“Scrap,” a narrative film that tells the story of a young single-mom finding herself living in her car and struggles to hide her homelessness from her estranged brother and his wife after getting laid off.
“Underground Orange,” a LGBTQ film that follows a Californian backpacker who finds himself entangled in a polyamorous relationship with a gang of young actors who plot to kidnap the U.S. Ambassador to Argentina.
“Heightened,” a film based on a young woman who following a mental breakdown, must return home to Maine for treatment. After she is unwillingly thrust into nature, she finds unexpected solace in the company of a neurotic park ranger, who is dealing with issues of his own.
CIFF also will host ShortFests
CIFF will also be hosting the annual ShortsFest, this year featuring 12 creative, provocative and entertaining shorts tracks.
ShortsFest kicks off on the morning of Nov. 9, with a local spotlight featuring local personalities, filmmakers and compelling stories.
Hosted over Veterans Day weekend, it is tradition for the festival to honor military heroes with an annual Salute to Veterans program.
This year, CIFF will host a special presentation screening of “The Gift,” the story of Medal of Honor recipient, Corporal Jason L. Dunham and the Marines of Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines on Nov. 10.
For more information and updates on this year’s programing slate, go to www.festival.coronadofilm.com.
